socio

B12: A Spoof That Hits Too Close to Home

B12 has it all: twelve boys with distinct personalities, hip fashion, flashy dance moves, and a catchy song. They could be the next big thing in the boy band sphere… if only they were real. B12 is a group created by the American TV show American Dad for one of their episodes, but compared to the boy bands in the K-pop industry, they aren’t that far off from reality.

Watching the spoof B12 MV is like watching one epic mash-up of a bunch of K-pop boy band MVs. There isn’t any denying that the American Dad writers hit the nail on the head with B12, probably without even knowing anything about K-pop, which is the unfortunate part. The K-pop industry has become one big inside joke about huge groups with stereotypical members and MVs. Let’s make a comparison…

There are twelve members in B12 (obviously) and supposedly, each boy is to have a distinct and interesting personality. However, like in K-pop, there are a few who seem genuinely useful, the couple of stereotypes you just have to have, and then the filler members who everyone ultimately wonders: what exactly are they doing in these groups? There is the main vocal, because every group needs one solid singer to carry everyone along, which is painfully similar to K-pop groups these days. With Super Junior, the greatest 13 (or more) member boy band, some would argue that the group fulfills some of the points above. However, they’ve been lucky to have multiple good voices — a characteristic that hasn’t been very common in smaller boy groups. It says something about the industry, when the joke of a music group only having one good singer is so realistic. But given that this is the Korean entertainment industry we’re talking about, there are evidently other roles for members to fill.

For example, there is the androgynous, effeminate character, something that B12 has adopted. Members of this variety come in all shapes and sizes but the highlight is their pretty-boy looks and gentle demeanor, à la Super Junior’s Sungmin, NU’EST’s Ren, and SHINee’s Taemin. These members are important because they make the international audience (unfamiliar with K-pop) ask themselves, is that a boy or girl? OK, maybe that isn’t why they’re important, but it certainly piques attention, and that has evolved into a significant aspect of forming groups. In B12, they toy with this theme by having one of their members cross-dress. Looking at K-pop, and by way of just one instance — Taemin’s consistent need to affirm his masculinity on variety show — B12 don’t stray far from a K-pop truth.

Based in a multinational and multicultural place like the US, B12 is crafted with just one Asian member, a Japanese. It’s also made sure that B12’s Japanese guy has his hair bleached for the group’s music video. Obviously, a comparison comes to mind and we picture the bleached blond hair on Asian boy-banders that has simply become canon, and internationally recognized. In K-pop groups with more than four members, which really makes up most of them, there is rarely a time when any of these escape being styled with some form of light-colored hair. In the real boy band industry, having different hair styles helps distinguish members, but to an outsider it may look like Asians simply wanting to have blonde hair.

Playing off another feature, as seen in Super Junior, B12 has the one fat member, à la Shindong. There I said it, and you know you all thought it when you saw the B12 video. Sorry, Shindong. In the full American Dad episode they state that the fat kid is being the “relatable” member, which is probably true to some extent; a person with a less than perfect idol physique is more realistic to relate to. Shindong also plays the role of a humorous variety member for Super Junior, which may be similar to the role the fat kid would play in B12, were it a real group.

There is also a visual member, a member who doesn’t wear a shirt, and a pre-made romantic couple for fangirls to get excited about. Overall, B12 is so full of K-pop archetypes that it is almost painful to think about. How could a mainstream American TV show nail K-pop boy bands so well? One reason is that 90’s boy bands from the US are similar to K-pop boy bands of today. So, if the show based B12 off of those groups, it wouldn’t take a lot to compare it to its Korean counterparts. But more than that, the pop industry in every country is so predictable that it becomes easy to parody. In K-pop, there is a big emphasis on each member having their own specific talent or purpose and it would be easy to minimally research K-pop and still understand that aspect.

As for the “MV,” it is simply overflowing with K-pop references. Is that a room they borrowed from Super Junior? Pretty sure that is the same room “Bonamana” was shot in, so B12 must be sharing sets with SM Entertainment. But seriously, the MV shots are the same as the member profiles, over the top but not that far off from the K-pop boy band reality.

These are just a few examples of MVs with these aspects, but there are many more. K-pop fans often make fun of MVs for being shot in “boxes,” but the lack of originality in K-pop boy bands’ MVs is actually a serious issue at this point. Obviously, pure originality isn’t possible as everything is inspired by something else, but it would be in the pop industry’s best interest to diversify as much as possible to avoid being pigeon-holed so easily.

In the episode, B12 ends up going nowhere, promotion wise, because another group pops up with 13 boys before B12 can release their MV. This is a sad, but true, commentary on the plethora of debuts and lack of originality in K-pop groups, because as soon as one debuts, another may build on this to come out with another. The first group will fade into obscurity, because the second group does the concept better, or has a better production company who has more money for marketing. The B12 video is funny on the first watch, but on further appreciation and rumination, it appears depressingly easy for a sub-genre of music to be summed up in a two-minute parody. But I guess that’s life, and that spoofs and parodies can be cynical yet laughable at the same time; better to be popular and easier to be made fun of, than unknown and living on the edge of the entertainment circle. Well, boy bands, at least you have a little foot in in that sense.

What did you think of B12, Seoulmates? Are you ready to join their fan café? What should their fan name be?

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I love spoof themed episode of celebrity/entertainment/pop culture and after watching B12 music video i might become their fan. Regarding the part “With Super Junior, the greatest 12 (or more) member boy band, some would argue that the group fulfills some of the points above.” Super Junior is 13-membered boy band while EXO is 12-membered boy band. Overall great commentary on the k-pop boy band and every boy band in general outside of K-pop

http://logton.tumblr.com/ Jasmin Davis

Technically speaking, Suju is only 12 since Hangeng is officially not a member. EXO is more like two 6 membered groups that perform occasionally for special events. Comparing EXO wouldn’t have worked, since for every member in the EXO-K, there’s supposed to be like a ‘twin’ in EXO-M, if that makes sense.

http://dvqd92.tumblr.com/ Elizabeth

i understand the current state of Super Junior and i get that wasn’t talking about that i was talking about how Super Junior will be always be remembered and known as a 13-member boy band when they were still well-established. Yes EXO, EXO-K, EXO-M are separate groups with EXO being a 12-member boy band being separated from 12 to 6 members separated to EXO-K and EXO-M, I disagree about the part “comparing EXO would’ve have worked” EXO as a whole and do group activities is still a 12-membered group and yes EXO and Super Junior should not be compared and the only thing they have in common is they’re from the same company SM Entertainment and they are a large group the difference is EXO is 12 and Super Junior is 13. I guess i’ll have to agree to disagree.

Sophia

I didn’t know that EXO K and M come together as one group and do group activities, do they ever sing together? I thought they were more like 2pm and 2am.

myloveisDRC

“There isn’t any denying that the American Dad writers hit the nail on the head with B12, probably without even knowing anything about K-pop, which is the unfortunate part.”

Why are you so sure the writers knew nothing about K-pop beforehand? I’d have thought the opposite. K-pop has yet to make a significant “splash” stateside, but there have certainly been ripples, and once the water churns enough people’s curiosity will get the better of them and they won’t be able to resist investigating the source. I don’t know if K-pop will ever be as lucrative in North America as fans want it to be, but as long as interest is on the rise, doesn’t it make sense that the media would take advantage of the trend? I don’t think the outcome is a direct jab at K-pop boy groups. I do, however, think the writers did their research and were aware of the pitfalls of K-pop, at least those plainly obvious on the surface, when they created the concept for B12.

WonderfulZingMin

lol Typical.

http://profile.yahoo.com/TTZ2FYN62OVKFZZEXXIJT4M54U Julia

Typical kpop fan~

myloveisDRC

If that’s what you gleaned from my commentary there’s nothing I can do. And it’s clear it would be a waste of my time and yours to attempt to break it down for you, especially since you’re so keen on labeling others as “typical.” ^^

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=688295383 David McCready

You did pretty much ignore the fact that this B12 thing copies more from pop idol groups of the 90s than Kpop, though. :)

Especially since Julia offered a point of view that was not harsh or negative towards you. The only waste of time here is hers in an attempt to give you clarity on an issue you’re quite blind to. I applaud her efforts, though. A true champion of truth.

You, on the other hand, are exactly why I would NEVER in my life want to date a kpop fan. Blind.

myloveisDRC

Just because I didn’t mention ’90s boy bands doesn’t mean I don’t acknowledge their influence. I said the writers did their research; take from that what you will.

As for that last part, just be careful not to fall off your pedestal otherwise you’ll be forced to mingle with all of us down here.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=688295383 David McCready

I’ll take it exactly as you wrote it: “I do, however, think the writers did their research and were aware of the pitfalls of K-pop, at least those plainly obvious on the surface, when they created the concept for B12.”

If you meant it some other way, that’s your fault not mine. :)

And I don’t tend to mingle with strangers, anyway, so I should be okay. But thanks for the warning.

http://profile.yahoo.com/TTZ2FYN62OVKFZZEXXIJT4M54U Julia

Lets be realistic here. Lets say the creators “did their research” wouldn’t they use Asians? If you’ve ever watch Family guys or American dad you will notice they are very insensitive when it comes to making fun of asians.Some of you forget that kpop is only a niche market in the U.S and I highly doubt American dad would be poking fun of something only a small amount of people would understand.

http://twitter.com/lillian23910 Sharon

Lol, don’t judge me too harshly, but I want to stan B12. I liked that song and video. Very entertaining.

Gaya_SB

Join the club: my bias is the girl.

TwistedTruths

I’m surprised the girl didn’t get compared to f(x)’s Amber! I was waiting for that!

http://dvqd92.tumblr.com/ Elizabeth

I’ll have also join the club to become B12 fangirl i’m a sucker and lover of pop music especially boy band

Annie_May

So I creep, yeah
Just keep it on the down low
Said nobody is supposed to know

So I creep, yeah
‘Cause he doesn’t know what I do
And no attention goes to show
Oh, so I creep”

Lmaooo!! Yooooooo!! Shout out, to the shout out to TLC “Creep” MV. Yesssss!! B12. haha!!:):)I hope I wasn’t the only one who caught that.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=688295383 David McCready

Hm… while I like the concept of this article and it’s obviously well thought out, I wonder how Josie and the Pussycats and Spice Girls managed to foretell KARA’s near-disbandment and member changes in KARA, Wonder Girl’s and Girl’s Day, etc. It’s not that these pop stereotypes don’t resemble Kpop, it’s that kpop resembles 90’s pop idol groups of Backstreet Boys and Spice Girls.

I think the thing here is that so many people ignore “everything else” when they get involved in kpop so they think whenever anything shows up it’s automatically taking kpop ideas. You could theoretically argue Hyuna and Britney Spears have taken the same route to solo success, starting in a group (Mickey Mouse Club for Spears) then branching out in a solo career with sexual innuendo in the videos as a minor. Can’t wait for Hyuna to shave her head and forget undergarments. >.>

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_2UNQGN7IPNTIRIWBNVHEFBHHV4 a z

“Can’t wait for Hyuna to shave her head and forget undergarments. >.>”
I really hate when people make fun of what happened to Britney. Yes no one knew at the time that she was mentally sick but now that you do know its rather tasteless to use make reference to that episode as if she was doing it purposely for attention.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=688295383 David McCready

Thanks for telling me what I think of Britney Spears. You sure have the A-Z on me, huh?

Did I make fun of Britney Spears? Did I say she did it for attention?

No, I made a statement about Hyuna possibly going through a similar period in her own life that Britney Spears did. I did not say it would happen, nor did I seriously say I wanted it to. I merely commented on the mirroring of the two in direct relation to this article suggesting that something in the world resembling kpop is absolutely a parody of kpop and kpop only – because the rest of the world really did come first. 20 years ago.

But thanks for telling me how I think. Sometimes I just don’t get myself.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_2UNQGN7IPNTIRIWBNVHEFBHHV4 a z

I never told you what you think, but i think it is tasteless to use her as a reference when during that period she was mentally unstable and therefore was not really in control of her actions. To compare the two is ridiculous since Hyuna does not have a mental disease (that we know) so when she does provocative things its a choice she consciously makes knowing the reactions she will receive. And you were in fact making light of what happened to Britney but if you dont want to admit it or didnt know you were doing it then it is what it is.

inxomnia

Let me be snarky for me a moment here but really? No one knew she was mentally ill when she had that episode? They all thought that was normal, fine and dandy behaviour? Come on.

I don’t think the poster even mentioned anything about doing anything for attention. He was saying they were similar so to speak. And honestly, if KPOP stars have mental breakdowns, I can’t wait for that either. It will just show those agencies that these young adults are humans and have limits.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=688295383 David McCready

Agreed. In fact, many KPOP stars DO have mental breakdowns. Problem is you just don’t get to see it UNLESS it’s for publicity.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_2UNQGN7IPNTIRIWBNVHEFBHHV4 a z

You’re talking about one episode, Britney had many episodes that were red flags to her mental state (magazines even wrote articles of why they cancelled interviews because they believed she was mentally unstable) and the last one just so happend to be the biggie that slapped people in the face and made them realize something was seriously wrong. But before that she was laughed at, called her a slut, and everyone basically said everything she did was for attention because she has a sexy image and needed to stay relevant.
Now you’re right the poster didn’t mention doing things for attention, but everything Hyuna does as far as being overly sexy in her dances and the way she dress is done for attention because it helps distract from the fact that she cant sing and sucks at rapping. Its the only reason she is as successful as she is now because her songs are not memorable or even catchy. Britney yes had a sexy “concept” if you will but it was natural and they empathized it. Plus although she is not a great singer (she is extremely medicore) Britney was an entertainer and she was lucky enough to have a lot of catchy dance hits and a few decent ballads.
Not sure if i am being clear, i dont translate well on paper but IMO, Britney and Hyuna are not headed down the same path because Hyuna just isnt an entertainer which is what she needs to be to be like Britney.

And for the record – because i realize i sound like a Britney stan – I am not a Britney fan i am really someone who has sever guilt because i was one of the people who enjoyed the trainwreck that she was and i also thought she was doing it for attention until i saw her shave her head.

inxomnia

That’s what I’m saying – it was clear there was trouble in paradise with Britney. Which is why I replied when you said “no one knew she was mentally sick” etc.

Now, honestly I could care less for comparisons between the two because that’s they’re job and they do what they do. What I do think is, that I wouldn’t be surprised if sh*t goes down because of the craziness that is idol-dom.

inxomnia

That’s what I’m saying – it was clear there was trouble in paradise with Britney. Which is why I replied when you said “no one knew she was mentally sick” etc.

Now, honestly I could care less for comparisons between the two because that’s they’re job and they do what they do. What I do think is, that I wouldn’t be surprised if sh*t goes down because of the craziness that is idol-dom.

Sophia

I agree, I’m old enough to remember and was a fan of the 90s boybands – someone asked me why i like Kpop, nostalgia, it lets me be a kid again.

BUT i’m also old enough not to take it too seriously, original it anit and i’m fully aware of that fact. Doesn’t stop me from enjoying it though

inxomnia

I’ve always thought that KPOP just took off from boy bands and girl bands from the offset. However, many believe KPOP is so new and unique to Korea because they’re fan-girls/boys. It’s basically girl bands and boy bands in a different cultural paradigm and its the cultural influences that are unique not the actual music, industry or the manufacturing.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=688295383 David McCready

So true. Kpop is equal parts 90s pop (such as American Backstreet Boys or the European Spice Girls, etc.) fused with Korean style/swagger.

Ditu3ka

Based on K-pop boys groups or American boys groups from 90´s, it was just hilarious. I would stan “dead sister” one or “annoying” one because both just sound so wrong :-))

http://profile.yahoo.com/VOBHN5WR2Q3MPYG2DVDKDOB3WU Lili

them dressed up is a reference the Backstreet Boys ‘Everybody’. Anyway, it was pretty funny considering I never find American Dad or Family Guy funny at all.

asianromance

Someone who also remembered 2gether! U + me = Us!

http://twitter.com/Plutonium22 Plutonium

lol

Onew Luhan

I totally ship B11 with B7.

Sophia

Lol funny!

Sophia

Lol funny!

Chyrita Bonita

I thought this was hilarious when I first saw this episode. The first thing that came to my mind was Super Junior and when they were dancing in the white room my jaw dropped because I thought they were seriously making fun of Super Junior. It was just funny to see them make fun of corny groups

melbyj89

i think this spoof is a direct jab to kpop because there’s no famous 12 member like boy bands in america ever
popular boy bands that was and now r popular in america are one direction, the wanted, backstreet boys,nsync, new kids on the block, 98 degress, five, otown, etc which all have i think 5 members.
so what else could american dad be parodying? it so obvious it’s kpop idol boy bands

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=688295383 David McCready

How many 12 member boy bands are in Korea? That are popular enough to warrant the attention by FOX?

This is 90% jab at boy bands of the 90s and maybe 5% “I just did some research and there’s this band in S. Korea with 12 members and one of them looks like a girl!”

This whole story is old hat to people who grew up in the 80s and 90s.

http://twitter.com/J2201987 Justin Asomugha

LOL @ “I just did some research and there’s this band in S. Korea with 12 members and one of them looks like a girl!”

http://twitter.com/J2201987 Justin Asomugha

LOL @ “I just did some research and there’s this band in S. Korea with 12 members and one of them looks like a girl!”

http://arbitrary-greay.livejournal.com/ Arbitrary_greay

The only thing that Kpop might have uniquely in that video is the large member roster, which is still a stretch because of Menudo. Everything else, as mentioned multiple times below, has been done before, which simply speaks to how little the idol market has changed across time and space.

That said, I would not be surprised if there were Kpop fans among the creators of American Dad. They’re fans of Jpop, at least, because not only did American Dad play Perfume in one episode, it was vintage pre-popularity Perfume.
But the Backstreet Boys and 2gether references make me pretty sure that this is 99% playing on the nostalgia of the audience on 90s boybands combined with the resurgence now from One Direction and The Wanted. There’s a large member roster simply for exaggeration purposes, because people who aren’t idol fans could care less if the members were individuals or not, and to them it feels like every group is an endless parade of faces that all melt into one another.

B8 stan4lyfe.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=688295383 David McCready

I was actually going to point out that Japan has the market covered on large member rosters but had no idea if the American Dad writers were fans.

But I’m thoroughly in agreement with your comments.

Bstar5

Seth MacFarlane is f#$%*^g hilarious. Get this group on Music Bank now.

missile414

LOL I doubt Seth Mcfarlane had anything to do with this episode.

Whitney Richardson

Yeah, it does have a lot in common with kpop, but it also has a lot in common with American and Latin American boy bands. Menudo had a zillion members. The monster theme is obviousy from ‘Everybody’ by the Backstreet Boys and the weird white room stuff is similar to all the other teeny bopper/Justin Bieber videos out there. It’s totally possible that someone on the writing staff is into Kpop, but they don’t have to be because ALL of these elements were already explored to death in the 90s.

LovelySt4r

I think that the whole parody is poking fun at American 90s pop more than k-pop, and since k-pop does take a lot from that time era itself, in turn it does seem like they’re talking about k-pop as well.

about the 12 member thing in relation to Super Junior, I find it quite funny tbh but it’s not like it’s a secret that there’s a group that big out there. in my instance, I knew about the large numbers of Super Junior and SNSD years before I got into kpop. plus kpop is becoming more mainstream so even if they did have more reference to popular kpop acts I wouldn’t be all that surprised tbh.

VLF218

I thought it was pretty funny. Come on though what fun is it if you can’t laugh a bit at it right?? I agree with everyone else, yea it might have hit the Kpop formula spot on but America did have the 90’s. But I wouldn’t be surprised if the writers are familiar with Kpop acts such as Super Junior but South Korea definitely is NOT the only country with singing and dancing boybands with pretty faces and a high member count. Like I said before I found it quite amusing, it wasn’t making fun of the boyband concept in a bad way (At least I didn’t see it as that way) but it just kind of brought us back a little you know??

mangochic

LMAO!!!! It’s awesome how they nailed the stereotypes and I think the creators or someone in their families pay attention to k-pop.